What if the secret to building a thriving business culture starts with asking yourself three simple questions? This week, host Karl Pontau sits down with executive coach Chris Kenny to explore how authentic leadership begins from within.

Chris, a "recovering lawyer" turned leadership guide with 35+ years of experience, shares the three profound questions that changed everything for his high-achieving clients: Am I living authentically? Am I cultivating meaningful relationships? Am I making the world a little better?

You'll discover:

Why successful leaders often feel like frauds (and what to do about it)

How toxic leadership culture cascades through entire organizations

The daily habits that transform both leaders and their teams

Why redefining business success might be your company's breakthrough moment

How to create workplaces where everyone can answer "yes" to life's biggest questions

Chris reveals insights from working with privately-held company owners who "have all the things" but still feel something profound is missing. Drawing inspiration from people facing terminal illness who reflected on what truly mattered, he shows how to live intentionally around what counts most—before it's too late.

Perfect for leaders ready to move beyond just checking boxes and start building businesses that reflect the best of who they are. Because when leaders do the inner work, everyone wins.

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You can connect with Chris Kenny here:

https://the3lifequestions.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriskennyabq/

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

Ever wonder why so many promising startups struggle to get noticed by investors or customers? This week on The Human Connection, host Karl Pontau sits down with Kyle Kostesich, an executive creative director who's spent 20 years helping everyone from Ritz-Carlton to Pfizer nail their brand strategy.

Kyle drops some serious truth bombs about why early-stage companies think branding is just "nice to have" – spoiler alert: they're dead wrong! From life sciences companies that went from garage startups to public offerings, to the grocery store psychology behind your toothpaste choice, this conversation reveals how branding is actually the secret weapon for building those crucial investor and customer relationships.

What you'll discover:

Why your brand isn't your logo (and what it actually is)

The emotional brain hack that drives all purchasing decisions

How proper branding saved companies millions in the long run

Why cutting marketing during tough times is like throwing money away

The simple discovery process that transforms how people see your company

If you've ever thought "we'll worry about branding later," this episode might just change your mind – and your bottom line.

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You can connect with Kyle Kostesich here:

https://www.gray-giant.com

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

Ever feel like your phone is stealing your life, one scroll at a time? You're not alone – and Barcelona-based entrepreneur Clara Nafria has a brilliant solution that'll make you rethink how technology can actually bring us closer together.

In this episode, Clara shares how her platform Woop Do is flipping the script on social apps by getting people off their screens and into meaningful real-world experiences. Think of it as your personal catalyst for connection – whether that's starting a book club with teens across the globe, striking up conversations with street musicians, or turning your typical Netflix-and-chill night into something genuinely special.

What You'll Discover:

• Why traditional social platforms are designed to keep you scrolling (and how to break free)
• How guided activities can make scary social situations feel natural and fun
• Real examples: from high school literature clubs to water-saving shower challenges (yes, really!)
• The surprising link between loneliness and our mental health crisis
• How businesses are using these tools for authentic team building

Clara's infectious enthusiasm for human connection shines through as she explains how a simple app can give us permission to be curious, brave, and present in our daily lives. If you've been craving more authentic relationships but don't know where to start, this conversation is your roadmap.

Ready to turn your routine into adventure? This episode might just change how you see your next Friday night.

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You can connect with Clara Nafria here:

Woopdo: https://www.woopdo.com/

On the Net Today (Newsletter) https://onthenettoday.beehiiv.com/

Grove Agency: https://prgroveagency.com/

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

Join host Karl Pontau as he sits down with Todd Nilson, founder of Clocktower Advisors, to explore why your business needs genuine community—not just another social media following.

What You'll Discover:

The Community vs. Audience Game-Changer: Why treating customers like passive observers is leaving money on the table, and how real engagement transforms one-time buyers into lifelong advocates.

The Resilience Factor: How online communities act as your early warning system for market disruptions and create an "unfair advantage" over competitors who are still stuck in broadcast mode.

Beyond the Platform: Todd breaks down why you can't just "turn on" a community—the critical planning steps that separate thriving spaces from digital ghost towns.

Real Success Story: From a simple database request to a thriving collaboration hub for engineering professors nationwide—proof that listening to your community transforms good ideas into great ones.

Perfect For:

Business leaders tired of the endless chase for new customers

Marketing teams ready to move beyond "spray and pray" tactics

Anyone who suspects there's more to customer loyalty than discount codes

The Bottom Line? Your customers crave connection, not just content. Todd shows you exactly how to give it to them.

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You can connect with Todd Nilson here:

https://clocktoweradvisors.com

https://www.talentled.co

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

In this eye-opening episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Todd Attridge, founder of The Studio, a team-based app that helps predict and reduce workplace stress before it happens. Todd reveals that a whopping 92% of workplace stress comes from the people we work with, not the work itself!

Discover why miscommunication, different perspectives, and feeling unvalued create friction points between colleagues, and learn practical strategies to prevent stress rather than just manage it after it strikes. Todd shares his philosophy that emotional fitness is just as important as physical fitness, and explains how teams can beat stress by treating it like an opposing team in a sport.

With just three minutes a day, teams can build the emotional muscles needed to communicate better, set healthy boundaries, and increase productivity. The best part? These skills don't just transform workplace relationships—they improve personal ones too!

Listen now to unlock the secrets of workplace stress prevention and transform your team's dynamic in just minutes a day!

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You can connect with Todd Attridge here:

https://thestudio.life/

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

In this episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Ashley Faus, a marketer, writer, and speaker whose work has been featured in Time, Forbes, and more. Ashley shares insights from her upcoming book on human-centered marketing, challenging businesses to move beyond spreadsheets and dashboards to focus on authentic human relationships.

Discover why the "learn more" CTA needs to die, how explicit communication builds trust, and why viewing your audience journey as a playground rather than a linear funnel leads to more meaningful connections. Ashley explains why companies need to stop seeing customers as mere transactions and start embracing the messy, unpredictable nature of real human relationships.

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You can connect with Ashley Faus here:

https://www.koganpage.com/marketing-communications/human-centered-marketing-9781398619388

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashleyfaus/

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

In this eye-opening conversation, host Karl Pontau connects with Desmond Lomax, a senior consultant with the Harbinger Institute and licensed clinical therapist specializing in humanizing the workplace. With 20 years of experience in public safety, Desmond reveals how self-deception prevents us from building effective workplace relationships.

Discover how we often justify treating others as objects rather than humans, focusing only on evidence that confirms our biases. Desmond shares powerful stories of transformation—from the mother who realized she wasn't parenting as she wanted, to colleagues healing long-standing workplace conflicts. Learn why shifting from victim mentality to personal agency creates both relief and responsibility.

This episode explores how seeing the humanity in difficult colleagues (even the "French word" ones!) can increase your resilience, improve workplace dynamics, and unlock your own potential for growth. A must-listen for anyone looking to build more authentic connections at work and beyond!

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You can connect with Desmond Lomax here:

https://www.arbinger.com

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

Are you trapped in your own personal "Bermuda Keep-in-Touch Triangle"? In this heartwarming episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Jason Levin, founder of Ready Set Launch and author of "Relationships to Infinity."

Jason reveals why we're so bad at maintaining relationships (hint: guilt, fear, and worry are the culprits) and shares practical strategies for breaking free from these emotional barriers. Discover the power of "positive reminiscence" and learn how just 10-15 minutes of intentional connection time can transform your personal and professional relationships.

From the undervalued impact we have on others to intergenerational communication differences, this conversation offers valuable insights for anyone looking to strengthen their human connections. As Jason reminds us, "The biggest gift you can give somebody else is to remind them that you still remember."

Whether you're building a business network or rekindling old friendships, this episode will inspire you to take action and reach out to those meaningful people who have helped shape your journey.

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You can connect with Jason Levin here:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonlevinspeakertrainercoach/

https://readysetlaunch.net/relationships-to-infinity/

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

In this delightful episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Jesse Shternshus, an improv and storytelling expert who helps organizations transform their cultures through the power of "yes, and" thinking. Jesse shares how improv techniques create inclusive environments where everyone's voice matters—from boardrooms to hospital rooms!

Learn how Mayo Clinic uses improv principles to improve patient care, discover fun listening exercises like "Last Letter Conversation" that strengthen team communication, and hear about the card game "Together Together" that's helping combat loneliness by creating meaningful connections through storytelling.

Jesse's impressive client roster includes the United Nations, Macy's, Walgreens, and Capital One. She believes that just like physical exercise, our connection muscles need regular workouts to stay strong. Whether your business is B2B or B2C, this episode reminds us it's really H2H—Human to Human.

🎧 Listen now to discover how improv can transform your leadership style, team dynamics, and most importantly, your human connections!

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You can connect with Jesse Shternshus here:

www.improveffect.com

www.togethertogather.org

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!

In this eye-opening episode, host Karl Pontau connects with Andy Grant, bestselling author, transformational coach, and host of the award-winning podcast "Real Men Feel." Known as the "King of Authenticity," Andy shares powerful insights on why so many men struggle with emotional expression and the surprising costs of emotional suppression in business leadership.

Andy reveals how vulnerability creates psychological safety, fosters innovation, and ultimately leads to better business outcomes. Through simple yet profound exercises (like clenching your fists for 30 seconds), listeners experience firsthand the difference between emotional constriction and freedom.

Discover why choosing joy over being right transforms not just leadership but life itself, and why true stoicism isn't about never feeling emotions – it's about choosing when and where to express them. This conversation offers practical wisdom for leaders ready to create environments where authentic connection thrives.

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You can connect with Andy Grant here:

http://theandygrant.com/talk

You can connect with Karl Pontau here:

www.thehumanconnectionpodcast.com

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kpontau

Please like, subscribe, and share this episode with somebody you care about!